The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-06
ENCYCLOPEDIAS.
Information for Those Who Are Think
ing of Turning Out Few.

ing vi turning OllO d. rev.
From, the Netc York Mail ard Express.
"How much does it cost to produce an
encyclopedia" was asked Of an expert, and
he said
THAT depends upon the method pursued
in making it. The American Encyclo-
pedia" cost 100000 before a penny was
realized. The maps and engravings in the
work cost about $4,000 The best ltho-
graphers were employed, and many of the
pictures cost hundreds of dollers.
How is an encyclopedia nader
"Well, usually after the method employed
in compiling dictionaries. Editors are en-
gagged for different departments There is
the religious editor, the medical editor, the
scientific editor and the editor on miscel-
laneous subjects. The best authorities in
the land are chosen to edit the work. and
large salaries are paid In the process of
compilation an alphabetical rule is observed.
The old encyclopedias such as Chambers
and the Encyclopedia Britainnacann;n, u
are followed as regards the subjects they
treat of. The modern encyclopedia, how
ever, has very much of newspaper flavor
1t is based upon the principle
of American journalism IL is timely and
intended to hit the spirit of the age The
biographies of prominent men are made an
especial feature. The American Cvclopedia
is the greatest undertaking in the art of
book-making ever attempted in this country
Charles A. Dana, of the sun, was and is the
edtor-in-chief He fixes the prices paid to
contributors He knows the value of every
word that is written. If an article is handed
in by q specialist and another come in from
an obscure professional man i'll any science
he chooses the best"
How much do the contributors to ency-
clopedias make n
Generally we pay magazine rates-thst
is, $40 per 1000 words Many of the arti-
cles. however cost far more than that.
There are some contributors who receive
$500 or 81 600 for short article. They
possess exclusive information, however DR.
Shrady. who is the authority on cancer and
editor of the Medical Record, furnished us
exclusive information on that subject and
on many others connected with surgery
OF course, Ii specialist is paid far more than
an Ordinary writer Often page costs us
500. Then, again, we run page after page
at the cost of $50. MANY of the writers are
men VINO hold the foremost rank in litera-
turc Consequently they demand large
prices for their work.
How much money is invested in encyclo-
pediasH
That is a difficult question to answer
The American Cvclopedia has sold very well.
We have run into the millions on sales but
it should be remembered that encyclopedias
are never sold in bulk. The installment
plan is always adopted. Our contributors
pay for each volume as it is issued
In case volume is lost, can it be dupli-
catedp
THAT depends on who the loser may be.
A regular contributor, one who has been
buying volume after volume for years, can
certainly be accommodated. His name is
down on our books, and we recognize him
as patron Of the house. A genuine set of
encyclopedias cost great deal of money,
about $50 TO 500; consequently they arc
sold in installments and the purchaser is
protected